The Smuggler's Ascension: The Ties That Died Read online

  Relaying the encounter now, Anasha could see the anger in Kristof’s eyes, but he remained silent. She feared what he might do if the Su’Vanii denied him for too long, yet she did not know if it was for him or for the Su’Vanii that she feared. The Su’Vanii had ways of dealing with troublesome people that were reputedly very severe, yet the new power at Kristof’s command was likely to overshadow what they could through at him. He had been able to hold a God in his hand, after all.

  “Remind them that I am not a patient man,” Kristof said after a moment.

  “Don’t I know it,” Anasha said with a smile, and he smiled in return.

  “Don’t go breaking my defenders, mister,” Sabine said just a bit tartly. “We may need them later.”

  “That reminds me,” Anasha said, eager to change the subject. “After our encounter with that Dark Priestess on Clovani Prime, I have been having our Defenders practice their shield defenses and look for ways to augment those abilities. That witch on Clovani was almost enough to take down a full troop of Su’Tani by herself.”

  “These Gau’dran’Seti have been augmented by Death, remember,” Kristof told her. “There was no way to prepare for that, and there may not be a way now.”

  “Then we are in a very bad position for this fight,” Sabine said as Anasha and Kristof sat quietly.

  “Is it true lightning?” Max asked curiously, “Or is it more?”

  “It is mostly just lightning,” Kristof said after a moment’s consideration. “When I grabbed it, it reminded me of that time that blown conduit hit my arm on the Wraith, only this didn’t almost kill me.”

  “Good lord, my love,” Sabine said in exasperation. “Do you ever not almost get yourself killed?

  The room erupted in laughter as Kristof blushed slightly. Sabine had to move quickly to evade his playful swat at her ass, and Anasha caught her lovely wife in the protection of her arms. She found herself not wanting to let go, nor did Sabine seem eager to be let go. Anasha lowered her face into the tiny Queen’s hair and inhaled her scent and felt like she was home.

  “Don’t ever fall in love, Max,” Kristof said teasingly, “They turn on you every chance they get.”

  “I will keep it under advisement,” Max said with a smile, to which they all laughed again. Anasha was glad to see Max coming back to being himself at last.

  “So, if you’re all done playing grab ass,” Max said lightly, “If this is truly just greatly augmented lightning, then perhaps a portable insulation unit can be developed that would render the lightning harmless to so equipped people.”

  “Is that possible?” Sabine asked the android.

  “Combat androids such as myself are equipped with very high tech insulation to prevent electromagnetic pulse damage,” Max explained. “It may be that this insulation can be adapted to combat the lightning from the witches.”

  “I will get Research and Development on it immediately,” Sabine said and went to the comm terminal in the main room. Kristof helped Anasha up from the bed and they followed Max after Sabine. Anasha wrapped herself against Kristof as they sat and watched Sabine speak with the R&D commander, needing to feel him close.

  “What is it?” Kristof asked her curiously. “You seem unusually clingy today.”

  “I just missed you two,” Anasha said as she laid her head on Kristof’s shoulder. “Next time I won’t purposely schedule things to avoid family trips.”

  “I heard that,” Sabine said archly from the comm terminal and Kristof laughed.

  “You’re dead set on seeing the Su’Vanii, aren’t you?” Anasha asked suddenly even though she knew the answer.

  “Yes,” Kristof said simply, then added, “We need answers, or at least guidance to the answers. You told me that they live in two worlds, which makes me think they know something I need to know. I can’t use this power if I don’t know where to aim it, and I can’t just wait for Death to come calling.”

  “I understand,” Anasha said after some thought. “I will try again tomorrow.”

  “After you get that salve,” Kristof insisted.

  The conversation went on between Kristof and Max, and Sabine as well once she finished her conversation with the commander of the R&D division, but Anasha slowly drifted off, content to be in Kristof’s arms. She thought back to the times when they’d first been married and how they would lay in bed together for hours on end, the world not existing to them beyond the edge of the bed. She longed for those days at times, though she would always want for Sabine to be with them now. Perhaps once this war was done she would talk them into a long, secluded vacation alone.

  Sleep must have taken her, because Anasha came awake suddenly from a flare of pain in her ribs as Kristof lifted her and carried her to bed. She stayed still, feeling safe in his arms like she never did any other time since her father had died. It didn’t take a psychiatrist for her to know that it was her father’s death that made her feel unsure of herself and clingier to Kristof at times. He’d seen it today, she knew, though she was unsure if he knew the reason. She needed that strong male presence even though she was a strong, independent woman.

  Anasha realized that this was probably why Sabine often felt the same way towards Kristof, since she had lost her own father at a young age. It seemed that they were soul sisters in more ways than one now, and she loved her little wife even more in that moment.

  The sheets were cool as Kristof laid Anasha in bed. Sabine came and undressed her, and Anasha found herself loving the simple attention they paid her. There was no sexual energy in their actions, just the simple loving attention of two people who loved her deeply. Word weren’t necessary for the three of them as Sabine and Kristof undressed as well and climbed into bed with her. Kristof spooned in behind her while Sabine spooned in in front of her and placed Anasha’s had on the swell of her stomach.

  They were a family, and Anasha found that family was enough for her as she slowly fell asleep.

  ~7~

  Sabine stood on a balcony in the Senate Hall that overlooked the Su’Tani Temple in the distance and wondered how Anasha was fairing with her renewed attempts to have the Su’Vanii grant Kristof an audience. By the frustration she felt through their shared connection, Sabine assumed the effort was not going well. Sabine’s own efforts as the Queen had met with resistance, as well, which was equally frustrating.

  From within her office behind her Sabine heard her secretary knock before entering. Sabine sent a thought of love and perseverance Anasha’s way before returning to her office inside. Her secretary, Lorei, was among the most efficient people Sabine had working for her to date, she thought as the tall blond set a stack of data pads on the corner of the desk.

  “Here are the agendas for the coming week, your Majesty,” Lorei said pleasantly as she arranged the data pads by colors, each color designating its areas origin such as the Senate, the military, or the noble Houses.

  “Thank you, Lorei,” Sabine said as she surveyed the rather large number of data pads. She wasn’t looking forward to the coming week’s schedule already.

  “Will there be anything else, your Majesty?” Lorei asked as she gathered up the remnants of the lunch Sabine had chosen to eat as she worked.

  “Actually, there is,” Sabine said on a sudden impulse. “I would like for you to schedule an appointment with the Head Historian at the University for me later this afternoon, if possible.”

  “I will get right on it, your Majesty,” Lorei said with a nod and left the office.

  Kristof’s need for answers had translated itself to Sabine, it seemed, as she sat and thought her idea through. While Kristof was looking to find answers from a more direct source, it occurred to Sabine that many of the answers might be laying in dusty old histories or myths, depending on one’s point of view. Given the lack of cooperation from the Su’Vanii, it seemed like a good idea to come up with a backup plan.

  On another impulse, Sabine turned to her personal comm unit and called up Stephan’s personal file and attem
pted to contact him. After a few moments she’d been about to give up hope when the screen came alive at last. Stephan did not appear to be bearing up well, from the haunted look in his eyes and his rumpled clothing.

  “My apologies, your Majesty,” Stephan said tiredly, “I did not mean to keep you waiting. How can I help you, my Queen?”

  “Please, Stephan,” Sabine said softly, “The titles and formality are not necessary when it is just the two of us. I was worried about you and wanted to check up on you.”

  “That was most kind of you, your…Sabine,” Stephan replied and actually managed a weak smile.

  “It only took you almost ten years to call me just Sabine,” she told him with a smile, and he blushed slightly. “I was worried about you, Stephan. And I wanted to apologize for leaving so quickly.”

  “No apology is needed,” Stephan said, a bit more energetically. “The Protectorate cannot lose you, and you are safer there on Purannis. I sense this is more than just a curtesy call, however. How may I serve?”

  “I have a need, a need that may help exact some measure of retribution for your loss,” Sabine said and watched as Stephan came more alive at her words.

  “What is it you need that you think I may be able to help with, Sabine?” Stephan asked, and his voice was now stronger as well, and Sabine smiled inward at the change.

  “Kristof needs answers surrounding recent event,” Sabine explained. “I believe many of those answers may lie in our ancient past. He is seeking an audience with the Su’Vanii, but they are being uncharacteristically evasive since our return, so I am seeking a fall back plan to find the answers.”

  “I think I understand,” Stephan said. “Some of the libraries here Oceanus have manuscripts from antiquity. For what should I have them search?”

  “When I first learned I was pregnant and was being plagued by visions of pain and darkness, the Su’Vanii helped us then,” Sabine told him. “The Su’Vanii called our union the Triad, and said that it was foretold in ancient Su’Tani legends. I have not found anything in my searches of the Su’Tani library here on Purannis, but I do not think I have seen everything that there is there is to see.”

  Stephan gave his former student a shrewd look.

  “I suspect you have been searching for reference of this Triad before now,” Stephan said after a moment.

  “Almost since I first heard the reference,” Sabine said with a wink, “But now my interest is more than just an idle curiosity. If Kristof does not get an audience with the Su’Vanii soon, he may choose to force the issue, and I don’t know how well that would turn out.”

  “Your husband does have a rather stubborn streak in him, Sabine,” Stephan said and Sabine was surprised to hear him chuckle. “I will set the librarians to the task immediately, your Majesty.”

  “Thank you, Stephan,” Sabine said with great sincerity. “And if you need anything from me, anything at all, you contact me. Consider it a royal decree.”

  “As you wish,” Stephan said with a smile. “Thank you, Sabine.”

  The screen went dark and a tear came to Sabine’s eye as her heart ached for her old friend. Giselle had seemed such an extraordinary woman and obviously made Stephan so happy, Sabine wished there was some way to have made things different.

  Sabine collected herself as the door chimed before readmitting Lorei. Her secretary carried with her a personal pad of her own and a fresh cup of tea for Sabine. The doctors had insisted Sabine drink a cup of a particular tea three times a day to help ease the discomfort from the baby and, between Anasha and Lorei, Sabine never missed a cup of the tea which she actually thought tasted disgusting. She couldn’t argue with the results, however.

  “Sir Laurence Bigriun of the University Library has made himself available at your convenience, your Majesty,” Lorei informed Sabine as she set the cup down before the Queen.

  “Excellent,” Sabine said happily. “I’ll go at once, then.”

  “Very good, Your Majesty,” Lorei said, “Just as soon as you finish your tea.”

  Sabine gave Lorei a sore face as she sipped at the tea. Thoughts of reminding the woman that she, Sabine Arctura the IV, was in charge here came to mind, but she decided against it. Lorei meant well and was only doing as Anasha had asked her, so Sabine swallowed her pride and drank her tea.

  The University of Purannis was a sprawling collection of buildings that Sabine immediately thought of when the conversations with Kristof about renovations came to mind. The buildings weren’t particularly attractive to the eye, and whoever had laid out the campus had clearly had mental issues. There was no rhyme or reason to the pathways or why particular science sections were nowhere near each other, just to name a few problems she had with it.

  The University Library, located near the center of the campus, was enormous and rivaled sections of the Palace itself in size and grandeur. It was one of the few buildings in the University that she actually liked, and she would have redesigned the campus around this building if her wishes ever came to fruition. Unfortunately, getting tenured professors to give up the offices they’d occupied for decades would be harder than arm wrestling a kraken.

  Sabine’s guards opened the door to her armored limousine for her and formed up around her as they made their way into the library. Sabine hated having eight guards now, but after the events on Durani Anasha was taking no chances with the Queen’s safety. Each of her guards was a senior member of the Su’Tani order, every one of them well versed in projecting shield barriers as well as all of the combat training they received.

  From an upper level of the library a late middle aged man hurried down a set of stairs towards Sabine and her guards. This man, who wore an outdated suit in a terrible brown color and enormous glasses, could only be Sir Laurence Bigriun, Sabine guessed. The man rushed to greet her, bowing before her in a fashion as outdated as his suit, but Sabine did not care. It was the man’s mind she was interested in, not his clothing or manner of bowing.

  “Greetings, Your Majesty,” he said once he had caught his breath. “I am Sir Laurence Bigriun, Head Historian here at the University Library. How may I be of service to you?”

  “I am seeking old legends and myths from antiquity,” Sabine informed him. “I have reason to believe they may contain pertinent information to recent occurrences.”

  “Certainly, you Majesty,” Sir Laurence said immediately. “But certainly you did not need to travel all of this way just to relay your request. I would have been glad to research whatever you needed for you.”

  “I thank you, Sir Laurence,” Sabine said. “As it is, this is one of the few parts of the University I like, and I do like to get away from the Palace and the Senate Hall from time to time. Please, lead the way, I would like to see some of the scrolls and books from antiquity.”

  “You honor me, your Majesty,” Sir Laurence bowed, “This way.”

  Sabine and her party drew many interested stares as they passed through the library. Part of what Sabine truly loved about the building was that it contained actual books along with computer terminals and research androids. Sabine had a fascination for books since childhood, when her father used to read to her when she was very young, and so she was always eager to be around books now. The Sanctuary had possessed an extensive library, and she had lost herself in the books there for hours on end.

  Finally, Sir Laurence led them to a large vault door.

  “The old manuscripts and scrolls from antiquity are very fragile, so they are kept under restricted access and preserved in special cases,” Sir Laurence explained as he keyed open the vault. Sabine was surprised to find that the vault door was easily two feet thick as it swung open slowly.

  Inside the vault, things were laid out in orderly rows, with each row having a computer terminal at its end. There was also a set of four central terminals that faced each other, and each terminal was attended by a research android.

  “Is there anything in particular from antiquity you are looking for, you Majesty?” Sir
Duncan asked as Sabine looked around in wonder.

  “Specifically, I am seeking any reference to the word Triad,” Sabine told the historian. “I would also like a rough history of the ancient Gods of antiquity, specifically the Phoenix God and Death, if there is anything available by those names or descriptions.”

  Sir Laurence seemed to consider the requests for a time as he ticked off numbers on his fingers silently to himself.

  “It should take the androids and myself roughly three days to do a quick search of the indexes,” Sir Laurence told Sabine finally.

  “Three days?” Sabine asked, just a bit shocked.

  “My apologies, you Majesty,” Sir Laurence said. “The manuscripts and scrolls are indexed by subjects and time periods, but have not been transcribed onto data crystals. They have been collected more for historical preservation rather than actual research tools. As you know, the majority of our society no longer cares to read or believe the old myths and legends as they have new tales to tell their children.”

  “I understand,” Sabine said a bit crestfallen at the delay. “I will still need the research done with all possible speed, without risking damage to the manuscripts of course. It may be that these things we’ve so long thought of as legends and fairytales were actually written histories. I will know if more if you actually find reference to this Triad that I mentioned.”

  “I will put my best people and myself on the task at once, your Majesty,” Sir Laurence said with a bow.

  “You have my sincere thanks, Sir Laurence,” Sabine replied. “I will leave you too it, then. I am sure my guards remember the way out.”

  The trip back through the library was not quite as exciting once Sabine learned that she would have to wait for what she hoped would be answers Kristof needed to at least get started. She knew time was against them, and as she placed a hand upon her stomach, she knew that Kristof had an unspoken hope of finding a way for their baby to remain that, just a baby.